Fish have to swim and Kuechly’s water is clearly the game of football, even if he’s not going to be on the field.
Luke Kuechly suddenly announced his retirement from the NFL last week at the age of 28, stunning the sports world and leaving Panthers fans deflated. It sounds like he’s not going away, though. Over the weekend, Adam Schefter at ESPN reported Kuechly is interested in sticking around in Carolina for a post-retirement role.
For what it’s worth, the team’s new head coach seems enthusiastic about the idea. Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Matt Rhule said that he hopes Kuechly will rejoin the team as a coach at some point. Apparently, he’s already been spending time in the film room with Rhule’s staff.
.@Panthers HC Matt Rhule told Bill Polian, @CoachNeuheisel & me on @SiriusXMNFL that he hopes Luke Kuechly at some point will rejoin the @Panthers as a coach. Luke was already in the building post-retirement watching film with Matt's staff
Fish have to swim and Kuechly’s water is clearly the game of football, even if he’s not going to be on the field.
A lot of fans have been calling for Kuechly to be hired as the Panthers’ new linebackers coach. While he doesn’t have any prior coaching experience, Kuechly obviously knows what he’s talking about at that position and has all the qualities you’d want from a good leader.
Kuechly looks like an obvious candidate for Rhule’s staff, However, he is also considering other alternatives. According to Joe Person at the Athletic, he’s also exploring broadcast opportunities.
RE Luke Kuechly and coaching, obviously a natural fit if he wants to pursue it. I’ve also been told he is exploring broadcasting opportunities, per industry source.
Tight end Greg Olsen has done pretty well for himself as an analyst and his resume continues to grow. He will be working this year’s Super Bowl pre-game show for FOX in addition to five games for the new XFL season. Kuechly has a close relationship with Olsen, so perhaps he’ll be inspired by No. 88 to go into the booth.
Whatever direction Kuechly chooses for his new career, we wouldn’t bet against him.
In addition to attempting to fill the void left behind by Kuechly with the first pick, we chose local prospects whenever it was reasonable to do so.
The Panthers have about as many roster holes to fill this offseason as any team in the league. There’s a lot of time between now and the start of next season, but generally the best place to start building is the NFL draft.
In our first seven-round mock of the year, we had Carolina pick Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown at No. 7 overall. A lot has changed since then, including the sudden retirement of All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly. With that in mind, we took a different approach to this mock. In addition to attempting to fill the void left behind by Kuechly with the first pick, we chose local prospects whenever it was reasonable to do so.
For the sake of this scenario, we assumed the Panthers will be keeping Cam Newton at least another year, hence no QB pick. Here’s how it played out.
No. 7: Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
It was difficult picking between Simmons and Brown here. In the end, we went with Simmons because of his versatility. That’s often an oversold trait for college prospects. In Simmons’ case, he’s the real deal. Like Tyrann Mathieu, Simmons (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) can line up at a number of different positions, including safety or in the slot. He also loaded up the stat sheet at Clemson, totaling four interceptions, 11 sacks, six forced fumbles, 20 pass breakups and 28.5 tackles for a loss. That flexibility will make him more valuable than a defensive lineman, even a very good one like Brown.
Charles ‘Peanut’ Tillman is doing just fine…and thanks for asking
Planters’ newest Super Bowl commercial teaser took a tragic turn—off a cliff, to be exact—when Mr. Peanut made the ultimate sacrifice: himself.
It’s a tough loss, no doubt, and the news of such magnitude caused quite a stir on the internet. By midday, the hashtag #RIPeanut was trending. And that’s great for Planters, and really, great for fans of Matt Walsh and Wesley Snipes, too (assuming that branch doesn’t break).
But—as social media can often do—the news wasn’t all well and good, especially for Bears and Panthers fans, and one Mr. Charles Tillman. The former cornerback, who is known as “Peanut,” had to take to the social airwaves and explain that, just because there was a trending hashtag from a reliable news source such as Twitter, it didn’t necessarily mean he was deceased. (I like to call this the Betty White Effect.)
Pro Football Focus: Panthers have 5 of the top 100 pending free agents for 2020.
A lot of interesting names may be on the move come March when free agency begins. The Panthers have more than a dozen pending free agents on defense alone and some of them are key pieces.
Elliott was ranked No. 94 on PFF’s list. He proved to be an upgrade over Captain Munnerlyn and generally held up pretty well. They graded him 67.2 overall on 439 total snaps played. The Panthers need all the help they can get at cornerback, so it might not be a bad idea to bring him back. He’s far from irreplaceable, though and didn’t get a great coverage grade (65.8).
OL Daryl Williams
Williams came in at No. 91 on the list after earning a 56.1 overall grade. This speaks more to an extremely weak offensive line class than anything else. Williams began the year at left tackle, where he was predictably a bust. After Greg Van Roten got injured, he slid over and played left guard. Either way, Williams struggled in pass protection all year, allowing 12 sacks. It would come as a surprise if he returns for the 2020 season.
DT Gerald McCoy
After signing a one-year deal to lure him away from the division rival Buccaneers, the Panthers got a strong season from McCoy. He was ranked No. 58 on PFF’s list and earned a 72.0 overall grade. McCoy was excellent against the run and also had moments as a pass rusher, totaling five sacks, 13 QB hits and seven tackles for a loss. It’s tough to say whether or not McCoy will come back due to his age.
CB James Bradberry
Pro Football Focus ranked Bradberry No. 53 on their list. Bradberry got off to a hot start in 2019, but his play dropped off in the second half of the season and he gave up too many big gains. PFF gave him a below-average 63.2 coverage grade for the year. Bradberry now wants a major contract extension. While Carolina can’t afford to lose good corners, they also should be wary of giving him elite cornerback money.
FS Tre Boston
Finally, Boston was ranked No. 23 on PFF’s list. His overall rating got a huge boost from an elite coverage grade (90.6). Boston totaled three interceptions and 11 pass breakups. The Panthers have a lot of difficult decisions to make this offseason, but signing Boston to the long-term deal that’s eluded him the last three years shouldn’t be one of them.
Latest report on retired Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly suddenly announced his retirement last week after eight seasons in the NFL. But almost as soon as that was reported, rumors surfaced that Kuechly could return to the NFL in the very near future in a front office or coaching role.
With the Panthers-Bills connections in mind, could a job in Buffalo be possible for Kuechly? Perhaps not, according to a new report.
Per Adam Schefter at ESPN, Kuechly is interested in sticking around for a post-retirement role in Carolina, specifically.
“Kuechly is interested in having a role with the Panthers, a league source told ESPN, whether it’s as an adviser, coach, executive or another job that could help the team,” the report read, which also indicates that the former All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year could decided to go the television route, too.
In addition, the Panthers did just move on from the only coach Kuechly knew in the NFL in Ron Rivera. However, that means new Carolina head coach Matt Rhule is currently filling out his coaching staff, so there could be an easier spot to fill for Kuechly.
But with Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane previously having connected with Kuechly over the course of several seasons together with the Panthers, Buffalo still could be an option. The Bills could create a new position for him. But Kuechly is also much more settled in Carolina personally via his playing career.
All things considered, there could realistically be a couple of options for Kuechly to consider.
According to a report by Alaina Getzenberg at the Charlotte Observer, Kinlaw says that he’s met briefly with the team and likes the idea of getting drafted by them.
All eyes are on Mobile, Alabama this week in preparation for Saturday’s Senior Bowl. The Panthers have a contingent of decision makers on hand to get a look at some of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL draft class.
One of the best is a local product: South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. According to a report by Alaina Getzenberg at the Charlotte Observer, Kinlaw says that he’s met briefly with the team and likes the idea of getting drafted by them.
South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw (and Charleston, SC native) says he has met with the Panthers briefly.
He’s currently being projected as one of top defensive linemen.
On the possibility of being drafted by the Panthers, he said “that would be really cool.”
Before Panthers/Gamecocks fans get too excited, they should keep in mind that at All-Star games like this most teams will talk with all of the top prospects, so we can’t look into any one meeting too much.
That said, Kinlaw (6-foot-6, 310 pounds) would make an excellent fit if some of Carolina’s aging DTs leave in free agency or get cut.
In 29 career college games, he posted 10 sacks, 17 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and eight pass breakups. Kinlaw is one of eight defensive line prospects we’ve identified as potential targets for the team in this year’s draft.
This year, the Chiefs and the 49ers are meeting in the big game and both teams have several pending free agents who could potentially make a good fit with the Panthers.
Every year, the two teams who make it to the Super Bowl inevitably lose a lot of talent in free agency as competitors try to get some of that championship vibe to rub off. This year, the Chiefs and the 49ers are meeting in the big game and both teams have several pending free agents who could potentially make a good fit with the Panthers.
Here are six players we will be watching during Super Bowl LIV.
Chiefs DT Chris Jones
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Age: 25 years old
Career stats: 61 games, 33 sacks, 72 QB hits, 37 tackles for a loss
The Chiefs would be nuts to let Jones walk, as his return to the lineup in the AFC championship proved how valuable he is for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. Keeping him around won’t come cheap, though. Meanwhile, the Panthers could lose Gerald McCoy and Vernon Butler to free agency and Dontari Poe might get cut. Signing Jones to pair with star DT Kawann Short would help keep a strong interior rotation going and make it younger.
Former Defensive Tackle won’t be returning to his alma mater at Texas to join the Longhorns staff, choosing the NFL instead.
The Texas Longhorns coaching staff is still missing a piece as the hunt for a defensive line assistant continues on . Current assistant Oscar Giles is expected to coach the defensive ends in 2020. Giles played for Texas from 1987-1990 and he will be entering his third season at his alma mater. This is his third stint with Texas, the first being a graduate assistant in 1999.
The thought process is that Giles would move over to defensive ends leaving a vacancy at defensive tackle assistant coach. Another former Longhorn had been linked to the job and even interviewed. Frank Okam who spent 2004-2007 with Texas and he was part of the National Championship team. Okam is reportedly heading to the NFL instead to join Matt Rhule.
I’ve learned Frank Okam will join Matt Rhule’s staff with the @Panthers. Okam, who was with Rhule at #Baylor, also interviewed with his Alma mater at Texas but is headed to the #NFL and will be an assistant defensive line coach. #Sicem
Okam started his coaching career with the Rice Owls following his five-year NFL career. He would leave Rice following the 2017 season to join Rhule at Baylor, now he will follow him to the NFL. This leaving the Texas Longhorns and head coach Tom Herman still on the hunt for a defensive line assistant.
The Carolina Panthers turn to Baylor’s Matt Rhule to revive a stagnant franchise. What does it mean for fake football?
Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports)
After 12 games, the Carolina Panthers fired two-time AP Coach of the Year Ron Rivera and then cleaned house following the season finale. In comes first-time NFL head coach Matt Rhule on the heels of a pair of successful rebuilds at Temple and Baylor. Along with him from the collegiate ranks comes a rookie offensive coordinator in LSU’s Joe Brady, only 30 years old.
Brady spent two years as an offensive assistant to Sean Payton in New Orleans immediately prior to the stint at LSU.
For now, the focus will remain on what we can expect, even if nothing appears set in stone.
Themes we do know:
Rhule is extremely adaptable: He’s a born New Yorker who coached in Philly before moving to Waco, Texas, and took on the lifestyle.
He adopted a run/pass option (RPO) system at Baylor after being known for his preference of a smash-mouth offense.
Rhule prefers a player-centric but demanding style of coaching.
He has experience coaching on both sides of the ball and has formulated a unique perspective because of it.
Things we don’t have answers for yet:
What will happen with Cam Newton? Carolina has to make a decision at QB, which will massively impact how the path forward is handled in terms of personnel and overall expectations.
If Newton leaves, to whom do the Panthers turn?
Is it time to move on from tight end Greg Olsen? Does he choose to retire (seems to be the likely outcome)?
Can Christian McCaffrey continue to see that kind of workload and maintain a high level of play?
Personnel concerns
As mentioned, what do do with Newton is the No. 1 priority. NFL.com media insider Ian Rapoport believes Newton will indeed be traded. He carries a team-high salary cap figure of $21.1 million, but Carolina will take only a $2 million hit in dead cap if he’s no longer in the team’s plans.
Freeing up $19 million will go a long way in making Carolina competitive in spending during free agency, should the front office choose to operate in such a manner. This franchise currently projects to have roughly $30 million in free money to spend, which doesn’t include inking its rookie class and/or extending players currently under contract. While the latter typically offers cap relief in the short term by kicking the can down the road, it still requires a commitment. And Carolina is married to Rhule for seven years, financially anyway. The Panthers are closer to being a playoff contender than not, and it isn’t going to take more than an offseason or two, if all is done properly. Rhule has proven to be adept at rebuilding in short order.
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In 2020, offensive free agents of note include starting left guard Daryl Williams and depth WR Jarius Wright — not exactly irreplaceable components. The Panthers have to improve an offensive line that allowed an unsustainable 58 sacks, which tied for the most in the league. In the 4-2 start to the year, this line surrendered only 16 sacks. There are plenty of factors at play in the downturn — inexperience, suspect starters, poor playcalling decisions. After all, in the final four games, Scott Turner was calling plays for the first time in his NFL career.
The retirement of star linebacker Luke Kuechly is a game-changer on defense, and cornerback James Bradberry is a free agent. Bloated contracts for Dontari Poe and Kawann Short should be of concern.
Shedding serious cap this offseason isn’t out of the question, and the 2020 starting lineup on both sides are poised to look much different than what we saw from this 5-11 team. Despite entering 2019 as the eighth-oldest roster in a year that was built up to contend now, this should become one of the youngest teams to match its coaching staff.
Offensive system expectations
Brady’s role as a passing game coordinator during LSU’s dominant 2019 season no doubt creates optimism, but it also brings serious question marks in his first year as a playcaller. The Tigers ran a blended system, which most are these days, and incorporated pro-style elements. This is what gamers should expect to see from the Panthers in 2020 — whether it will work well enough is yet to be seen.
Between Brady’s flexibility by claiming he doesn’t even have a system of his own, and Rhule’s past success with a ground-based RPO system, one can safely expect this will be the general idea of the offensive approach. Create confusion to take advantage of McCaffrey’s abilities in space, quick-hit passing to utilize the athletic traits of WRs D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel, and keep defenses guessing as to what is next. Sound familiar? It’s basically the offense (conceptually, anyway) of Baltimore Ravens coordinator Greg Roman.
Contract stuff aside, a healthy Newton would be an awesome fit for this system. However, his shoulder/ankle injury history, plus the contract concerns, create uncertainty.
Don’t rule out this being a location for a possible return of Colin Kaepernick.
Fantasy football takeaway
There is too much at stake with the outcome of the quarterback decision to give any kind of rational valuation.
McCaffrey is the only player that should be viewed as a “system-proof” and be given the benefit of the doubt for 2020 drafts. Even still, he comes with risk after touching the ball an average of 364 times the past two years and coming off of what almost definitely will go down as a career season.
Moore and Samuel figure win the top two spots at wideout, and Ian Thomas has flashed a few times should he be the ultimate replacement for Olsen at tight end.
The most important aspect of this roster to watch obviously is quarterback, and this coaching staff has to decide if grooming Will Grier is the answer, or if Kyle Allen showed enough, assuming Newton is not in their plans. There’s always the draft or open market, as well.
All wounds heal with time. It seems Steve Smith and the Panthers are slowing rebuilding the bridge that got burned when he left the team and finished his playing career with the Ravens. Watch Smith replace his Baltimore helmet with a Carolina one on NFL Network and ask team owner David Tepper to retire his jersey.
